Did you want to hear from Johnny Depp? No? That's a shame. Visibly recovered from his trial with ex-girlfriend Amber Heard and relieved of the specter of cancelation that briefly weighed on his shoulders, the famous American actor was the guest of honor at the Rome Film Festival at the end of October. In front of an enthusiastic audience, he was able to present his second film as director, Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness, dedicated to the Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani, before receiving a lifetime achievement award to great acclaim.
For the occasion, Depp sported his eternal biker-rocker-pirate look, all at once. He wore a shirt with a distinctive collar, made from a single piece of fabric, opening naturally over the torso. Appearing in the early 20th century, this collar was popularized by the elegant actor Gary Cooper. As a result, it's sometimes dubbed the Cooper collar. The terms Ludo collar and California collar are also used. Owing to its shark-tooth shape, shark collar is even more frequently used, particularly in France.
On the red carpet, the actor also wore a floral tie around his neck, completely untied. For years, this gimmick has been one of the American's signature styles. But what does it hide? A chronic inability to pull off a convincing tie knot? An homage to the elegant Fred Astaire, who loved to wear his bow tie untied in films as much as in life? Or a fierce determination to opt for a tie without compromising the amplitude and openness of his shirt's shark collar? Either way, it makes perfect sense.
In Rome, Depp was not subtle when it came to accessories. In the breast pocket of his jacket, he had slipped a white pocket handkerchief, no doubt cut from linen or cotton, forming a thick white line. In the generous lexicon of pocket folds, the angular, rigid shape in question is known as a TV fold. Why? Quite simply, because this is how American TV presenters historically liked to wear their pocket handkerchiefs in the US.
Finally, it's hard not to mention the accumulation of rings on the star's fingers. In fact, these six silver items are proof of his intense passion for jewelry. Depp owns dozens of rings, some referring to past roles, such as Tonto in The Lone Ranger or Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. He also wore a skull-shaped ring, celebrating the boy's club formed with musician Iggy Pop, filmmaker Jim Jarmusch and tattoo artist and novelist Jonathan Shaw. The name of this exclusive club? Death is Certain. Too true.
Translation of an original article published in French on lemonde.fr; the publisher may only be liable for the French version.